65th Ligonier Highland Games Saturday, September 14, 2024
814-931-4714
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SCOTTISH HARP COMPETITION

Sponsored by the Scottish Harp Society of America and American Harp Society Pittsburgh Chapter.

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Special thanks to AHS Pittsburgh for sponsoring the Journeyman/Master award

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Entries must be postmarked by September 1 st, 2024
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SPONSOR OF THE STRING-BAND PERFORMANCE IN THE CLAN AREA:

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR HARPS STAFF:

MELANIE SANDROCK - Director of Harp Event
FAYE IREY
VICKI JONES
EMILY URSO
JUNE SECHRIST

SCOTTISH HARPS

​The "Scottish harp" is a small harp used in Scotland, Ireland and Wales for several centuries.  "Small" means that it has fewer strings in comparison to the modern orchestral harp, on a smaller body.
Harps come in many sizes and are more primitive in that the harp changes key with levers that press on individual strings to raise the pitch. The strings are gut, nylon or wire and can be played with either finger pads or, historically, the fingernails. The harp was revered in the clans and the harper was expected to tell stories of the history of the clan.

Scottish culture and music is widespread and with it went the harp, and today is most prevalent in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, Canada and the USA. More detailed information can be found at the Harp page using the link below.
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SCOTTISH HARP SOCIETY OF AMERICA
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HARPER REGISTRATION begins in the Harp Pavilion at 8:30 a.m.

HARP ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
9:00 AM HARP COMPETITION

11:30 AM  HARP AWARDS

1:00 PM TO 1:30 PM String Band performs at Clan Forsyth tent in Clans Area

1:45 PM HARP WORKSHOP

2:30 PM MUSICAL JAM SESSION

2023 WORKSHOP LEADER & HARPS JUDGE MARTHA GEOUGE HILL

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A native of the North Carolina Mountains, Martha grew up in a very musical family. She began study of the piano at age 7, organ at age 13, and completed her BM and MM degrees at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She obtained her Ed.D. degree at Columbia Uni versity in New York City.

Martha completed a career in North Carolina public education before retiring in 2013. She taught middle/high school choral music for 10 years before moving into various roles in educa tional administration - curriculum specialist, principal, director, and superintendent.

During her years in public school education, she remained heavily involved in accompanying vocal and instrumental soloists/ensembles; playing chamber music; singing in the Hickory Choral Society; and serving as a church organist. Following her Scots-Irish roots, Martha de veloped a great love of the Celtic harp during her husband’s involvement in the Scottish High land Games.

Martha’s passion for the harp has grown and evolved over the years. Currently, she performs with the Celtic trio, Stone’s Throw. She is a member of the Blue Mountain Harpers in Asheville, North Carolina, and toured northeast Scotland in May, 2019 and in April, 2023 with the ensem ble, Harpa. She also composes and arranges for the Celtic harp and for Stone’s Throw. In April, 2023 she performed by special invitation at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival with Harpa.

In 2017, Martha won the harp competition at the Scotland County, NC Highland Games, and was awarded the Princess Margaret of the Isles Memorial Prize for Best Senior Clarsach Player by the Clan Donald Trust. In July, 2018, she also won the Master level harp competition at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, and in July, 2019, was awarded the Adult Prodigy Award. Stone’s Throw won the top award in 2018 and 2019 for the “Harp in Ensemble” at the Grandfather Mountain competition. She is a member of the Scottish Harp Society in America, and a certified judge of SHSA sanctioned harp competitions.

​Martha resides between Hickory and Todd, North Carolina with her husband, Ben. They are the parents of two adult daughters, Rebecca and Elizabeth, and her Siamese cat, Fingal, and res cued English Bulldog, Harley Quinn.
CLICK FOR STONES THROW TRIO WEBSITE
CLICK FOR HARPA FACEBOOK PAGE

2023 MASTER OF CEREMONIES FOR HARPS STEVE SCHACK

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Mr. Steve Schack of Columbus, Ohio is an experienced and renowned Scottish Harpist and the 2010 U.S. National Scottish Harping champion.

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Become a sponsor of the Ligonier Highland Games and help us continue the tradition of preserving and promoting Scottish arts and heritage. Your donation will be recognized on our website and in the souvenir program book.  Other benefits can include V.I.P. seating, hotel accommodation and becoming an honorary chieftain.  Click link above to find out more.


SPONSOR A MEDAL/TROPHY SET FOR AN EVENT

THE COSTS OF RUNNING THE HIGHLAND GAMES INCREASE EACH YEAR AND OUR FULLY VOLUNTEER STAFF WORKS HARD TO KEEP COSTS DOWN AND GENEROUSLY SUPPORTS THE GAMES TOO.  YOU CAN HELP BY SPONSORING A MEDAL SET FOR AN EVENT FOR $40 OR A TROPHY/PLAQUE SET FOR $80.  SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE A FREE TICKET AND  BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN THE PROGRAM BOOK.
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SPONSOR A SCHOLARSHIP FOR A MUSICIAN OR DANCER

SCHOLARSHIP  SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE TWO FREE TICKETS AND  BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN THE PROGRAM BOOK.
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2023 SCOTTISH HARP COMPETITIONS RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY OF PITTSBURGH HARPIST OF THE DAY
SYLVIA REESE


BEGINNER CATEGORY
1st Place KAY BALDEROSE
2nd Place SYLVIA REESE
3rd Place RACHEL URSO

JOURNEYMAN CATEGORY
1st Place SARAH McINTOSH

APPRENTICE CATEGORY
1st Place DEVIN HOUSLEY

HARP & ENSEMBLE
1st Place RINGGOLD HARP ENSEMBLE & STRING BAND

FAITH STENNING SCHOLARSHIP
SARAH McINTOSH

2019 SCOTTISH HARP COMPETITION RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY OF PITTSBURGH HARPIST OF THE DAY
CAMRYN BUCCI


BEGINNER CATEGORY
1st Place SARAH URSO
2nd Place SARAH MCINTOSH
3rd Place AZARIAH WHITE
4th Place CAMRYN BUCCI
5th Place ANN-MARIE HORCHER

NOVICE CATEGORY
1st Place MATHEW PAINTER
2nd Place DANIEL TOTTEN

APPRENTICE CATEGORY
1st Place SARAH MIDDLEMISS

MASTER CATEGORY
1st Place REAGAN ALLEN

HARP & ENSEMBLE
1st Place RINGGOLD HARP ENSEMBLE & STRING BAND

FAITH STENNING SCHOLARSHIP
REAGAN ALLEN

2018 HARPS COMPETITION RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY OF PITTSBURGH HARPIST OF THE DAY
CAROL KAPPUS


NOVICE OPEN
1st Place SARAH MIDDLEMISS

JOURNEYMAN OPEN
1st Place REAGAN ALLEN 2nd Place MADELYN KOONTZ

MASTERS
1st Place ALIX BALDWIN
2nd Place CAROL KAPPUS   3rd Place ANGEL WATESKA

HARP AND VOCAL
1st Place CAROL KAPPUS

HARP AND ENSEMBLE
1st Place RINGGOLD HARPS & STRINGS BAND

FAITH STENNING MEMORIAL AWARD
Sponsored by the American Harp Society Pittsburgh Chapter
ALIX BALDWIN

2017 HARPS COMPETITION RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY OF PITTSBURGH HARPIST OF THE DAY
REAGAN ALLEN

BEGINNER OPEN
1st Place CHLOE RUSSELL   TIE   1st Place GIANNA SPRECACE

NOVICE OPEN
1st Place SARAH MIDDLEMISS

APPRENTICE OPEN
1st Place REAGAN ALLEN   2nd Place HANNA McINTOSH

JOURNEYMAN OPEN
1st Place ANGEL WATESKA   2nd Place MADELYN KOONTZ

HARP IN ENSEMBLE
1st Place RUSTIC RHYTHMS ENSEMBLE (RINGGOLD)

FAITH STENNING MEMORIAL AWARD
Sponsored by the American Harp Society Pittsburgh Chapter
ANGEL WATESKA

Rustic Rhythms group members:
Kris Patrick, Ethan Gamble, Beth Gamble, Eli Drischler, Melanie Sandrock, Emily Urso, Sarah Hetzler, Kelley Kulp. Sarah Middlemiss, Flo Rusch, Judy Founds, Judy Forsyth, Donna Schipani, Corin Schipani, Caden Schipani, Lukas Holsopple, Sarah Stewartson, Aaron Lunn, Kylie Konton, Christian Martin Penley, Barb Heinze, Kirra Gerrard, Gianna Popalo, Madelyn Koontz, Sarah Hetzler, Hannah McIntosh, Caitlin Painter, Anna Vogt, Eva Vogt, Ali Crownover, Brett Ridgeway, Kim Ridgeway

2016 HARPS COMPETITION RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY OF PITTSBURGH HARPIST OF THE DAY
Eli Drischler

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BEGINNER
1st Place Sarah Middlemiss                          2nd Place Skylar Hazelton
NOVICE
1st Place Reagan Allen                         2nd Place Eva Vogt
APPRENTICE
1st Place Angela Wateska                      2nd Place Eli Drischler
3rd Place Madelyn Koontz                      4th Place Anna Vogt
JOURNEYMAN
1st Place Sarah Hetzler                           2nd Place Donna Bennett
MASTER
1st Place Jen Narkevicius
HARP IN ENSEMBLE
1st Place Rustic Rhythms
 EMERGING FORMS
1st Place Donna Bennett          2nd Place Eli Drischler
FAITH STENNING MEMORIAL AWARD
Sponsored by the American Harp Society Pittsburgh Chapter
Jen Narkevicius

2015 HARPS COMPETITION RESULTS

ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY OF PITTSBURGH HARPIST OF THE DAY

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Rheannon Ramsey-Brimberg
BEGINNER
1st Place Gabe Cunningham
2nd Place Hannah MacIntosh
NOVICE
1st Place Kira Kaselah
2nd Place Eva Vogt
3rd Place Eli Drischler
APPRENTICE
1st Place Caitlin Painter
2nd Place Angel Wateska
JOURNEYMAN
1st Place Sarah Hetzler
2nd Place Samantha Schultz
3rd Place Alexis Dolfi
MASTER
1st Place Mary Abbott
2nd Place Rheannon Ramsey-Brimberg
​ENSEMBLE
1st Place The Ringgold String Band
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